Cacique Caribe | 18 Aug 2007 8:35 p.m. PST |
link link Has anyone used those housings as SF buildings? CC |
StarfuryXL5 | 18 Aug 2007 9:25 p.m. PST |
I've thought about it, since I first saw something like that wire free smoke detector from "www.habitek.co.uk" in a hospital earlier this year. I just haven't gotten to a Home Depot to check out the various models yet. But I really like the look of that MoCo Loco smoke alarm on the first page of the first link. |
Cacique Caribe | 18 Aug 2007 9:32 p.m. PST |
Where would one go to get used smoke detector/alarm housings? Is there a smoke detector/alarm graveyard somewhere? CC |
bandit86 | 18 Aug 2007 9:43 p.m. PST |
I have a few that they had tossed from where I worked. and I am working on one as a bunker right now. Some work very well and are in the right scale. |
terrain sherlock | 18 Aug 2007 10:34 p.m. PST |
CC: Is there a smoke detector/alarm graveyard somewhere? Well.. yes there is.. maybe..:-) The local fire departments in some areas provide new smoke detectors.. and collect the old, replaced ones.. Ask.. and you may recieve.. |
Static Tyrant | 19 Aug 2007 1:51 a.m. PST |
It bears mentioning that the most common types of smoke detectors rely on a small radioactive source (usually Americium-241, which hangs around in a dangerous, radiation-emitting state for a whole lot of years!) in order to detect smoke or other airborne particles. When assessing the terrain-building potential of old smoke detectors that have been 'decommissioned' (i.e. unscrewed from the ceiling and thrown in a bin, drawer or cupboard) you should be aware that their previous owners are unlikely to have removed and safely disposed of the radioactive material! If you can buy the plastic covers separately, that would be a much better option. I do agree that they look cool! |
Cacique Caribe | 19 Aug 2007 10:18 a.m. PST |
I knew that the battery was somewhat radioactive. However, would the plastic cover pick up and continue emitting that radiation after being separated from the battery? In other words, am I wrong in considering the plastic covers as safe? CC |
artslave | 19 Aug 2007 7:36 p.m. PST |
I have some old smoke detector covers that stand in as "Flying saucers". They are bigger than the more modern ones you have linked. The guts are long gone, so no worries on the radiation front. I don't think the plastic bits would be affected by the trace radiation. At least, that is what I tell my little space crews. |
MaksimSmelchak | 19 Aug 2007 9:46 p.m. PST |
Hi CC, Over at Terragenesis in the old days, there was a fellow that made all kinds of Battletech terrain out of old alarms
The battery slot drawer even pulled out to become a loading bay! It was very cool. I recall it vividly. Shalom, Maksim-Smelchak. 6mm-minis.blogspot.com |
Static Tyrant | 20 Aug 2007 3:03 a.m. PST |
CC, it isn't the 9 volt (rectangular) battery that's radioactive. They'll leak acid if left too long or not handled properly, but they're not radioactive! There will actually be a small (and hopefully well sealed!) granule of a radioactive isotope inside each detector, and that's the part you need to be worried about. For safety reasons they're probably not designed to easily be removed, as they might then fall out if the detector was shaken or knocked. Also, all the safety labelling will be on the outside (by law) – it may not be clear what is what inside any given detector. That sort of radioactive material is not *supposed* to be water-soluble, and would *supposedly* not pose too much threat even if (god forbid) you swalled it. As with most of these things, though, we will probably never be able to state that with absolute certainty (well, people will try, but sometimes scepticism is appropriate!). Chemicals and biological systems just interact in too many unpredictable ways. I don't let it keep me up at night, but I'd draw the line at radioactive scenery if there's a better non-killy alternative. I'm not sure if the plastic will itself become radioactive through exposure. I know some materials, like wood, can build up quite dangerous levels simply by sitting near a radioactive source for a while. Couldn't believe it when I saw a local school using a lockable wooden box to store their radioactive sources recently! I'd imagine that if the plastic could become radioactive, it might 'mess with' the detector's ability to function. So, hesitantly, I'd say no. But I really think buying a new, unused cover is the only truly safe way to go. This is way more scary than the usual "wash your hands after playing with lead" type of concern. Cancer is no fun at all. |
Cacique Caribe | 20 Aug 2007 5:22 a.m. PST |
Ah, Static. Thanks for the clarification! CC |
artslave | 20 Aug 2007 9:30 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the information,Static. I'm not going to be overly concerned. These things were already in my house for many years. I don't use them for games more than 3 or 4 hours per year. I'd get more exposure walking under it every day in the hall. I did, however, inform the little space crews to sleep in a lead lined box between flights. Just in case! |
Detailed Casting Products | 20 Aug 2007 2:41 p.m. PST |
I used a square one to make a sci-fi bunker. I only added a scratch-built access door and an antenna and it was done. picture |
Dropzonetoe | 20 Aug 2007 3:54 p.m. PST |
At least, that is what I tell my little space crews. Is that why your grays glow green in the dark? |
artslave | 20 Aug 2007 5:37 p.m. PST |
Yes, I wondered how come they seemed to glow in the dark lately. I didn't remember using day-glow paint. Also sprouted a few extra appendages. Not a bad thing for space crews. They can reach more buttons that way. I like the bunker idea Sci! |
Cacique Caribe | 20 Aug 2007 10:39 p.m. PST |
SciFi Gamer, Very nice!!! CC |
Detailed Casting Products | 20 Aug 2007 10:51 p.m. PST |
The nice thing about that particular version was that if you placed a 28mm figure inside the eyes would be looking out of the "windows". That made it especially nice. While I made that one years ago a number of months back (maybe 6 mo.?)I spotted some inexpensive smoke alarms on sale for like $5-6. I figured that wasn't so bad so I picked up several. They are a round design but they'll work just fine. |